Faster Graze Healing: Effective Tips & Wound Care

A graze (abrasion) heals best with moist wound healing principles—not "airing out."

Evidence-Based Steps

1. Clean: Rinse with saline or tap water. Mild soap around (not in) wound. No hydrogen peroxide, iodine, alcohol—they damage new tissue.
2. Debris removal: Gentle irrigation; see clinician if embedded gravel.
3. Moist dressing: Apply petroleum jelly (Vaseline) or antibiotic ointment + non-stick pad (Telfa) + breathable bandage. Change daily or if wet/soiled.
4. Don't pick scabs: They're nature's bandage; picking restarts healing.
5. Sun protection: Cover or SPF 30+ after epithelialization—prevents hyperpigmentation.
6. Nutrition: Protein, vitamin C, zinc support repair.
7. Tetanus: Update if >10 yrs (or >5 yrs for dirty wound).

Signs of Infection

Increasing pain, spreading redness, warmth, pus, red streaks, fever → see clinician.

Most grazes heal in 5–10 days. Deeper/larger ones take longer.